Kelly Sotherton set for pre-Olympic battle

Mar 13 2008

KELLY Sotherton and Jessica Ennis are set for a pre-Olympic battle in a four-event challenge at this summer's Norwich Union London Grand Prix.

The heptathletes will be two of Britain's brightest medal hopes when their event opens the track-and-field programme in Beijing on August 15.

Birchfield Harrier Sotherton, the bronze medallist four years ago, will be buoyed by her pentathlon silver medal at last weekend's World Indoor Championships in Valencia, where she earned a sixth podium place in eight global championship appearances.

Despite her solid display in Spain, she will be wary of Ennis, who was an absentee but finished just 41 points behind her at last August's World Outdoor heptathlon.

The duo are lined up in the 100metres hurdles and long jump at the NU London GP on July 25 before facing each other in a 600m race and shot putt the following day.

UK Athletics believe the new two-day format at Crystal Palace will make the event the strongest meeting anywhere in the world this year, giving GB athletes the best possible send-off to Beijing.